Abstract
Several recent developments in human immunobiology have resulted in significant advances in our understanding of the complex processes involved in activation and immunoregulation of function in human B lymphocytes in normal and disease states. The development of antigen-specific systems for the study of B-cell function has allowed a dissection of the dichotomy and overlap between specificity and polyclonality of responses that are so clearly manifested in certain infectious and autoimmune diseases. In addition, the development of antigen-specific T-cell clones has led to a clear-cut understanding of the cellular and genetic requirements for the induction and regulation of human immune responses. Most recently, B-cell hybrids secreting human monoclonal antibodies with predetermined antigenic specificities have been developed from peripheral blood B cells of immunized individuals. Monoclonal antibodies should allow for the availability of unlimited quantities of purified human antibody specific to relevant antigens for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

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